Women Besiege Relief Depot

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 68, 22 March 1935, Page 5

Women Besiege Relief Depot

POLICE NEEDED TO CLEAR BUILDING Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 20. Demanding the immediate issue of food rations, a party of between 30 and 40 women besieged the Metropolitan Relief Association’s central depot this afternoon and refused to leavo. Tactful persuasiou by two police sergeants and a few constables led to the building being cleared, but not until one of the women had had to bo removed by two sergeants from the office of the honorary director, Mr. A. B. Macintosh. Most of the women wero wives of relief workers and they all claimed that they were iu dire need of food for themselves and their families. They asked that food be issued to them and stated they would remain in tho building until something was done for them.

There was an almost continuous bantering of the police and members of tho depot staff. Mr. Macintosh said nothing could bo done for tho women, but they still would not leave. The police sergeants tried lo persuade them to go and even threatened to take them in charge. All tho women save one eventually left and tho police had to uso some forco in. escorting her from the building. Tho position of tho Relief Association is that its funds, all provided by public subscription, arc exhausted. It still receives occasional gifts of goods aud money, but these are used to help families iu direct need through illhealth or somo infirmity.